Article
Navigating El Niño’s effects
Published: 02/05/2024
Southern Africa’s maize crops have been hit hard by El Niño-induced dryness and heatwaves. Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa face losses, urging calls for international co-operation to ensure food security. The El Niño-induced dryness and heatwaves hit the Southern Africa region, resulting in roughly half of Zimbabwe and Zambia’s maize crop failure.
South Africa’s maize crop is also down by 20% year-on-year, with the harvest estimated at 13,2 million tonnes. If it materialises, it will still meet the domestic needs of about 12 million tonnes, leaving the country with a small export volume.
But this is a tough season requiring white maize imports for Zimbabwe and Zambia. Neighbouring small-scale producers such as Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia are also struggling and will require white maize imports. These countries will need white maize, not yellow maize, which is widely traded in the world market. – Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz